Empire Racing plan calls for number of safety measures at New York tracks

Empire Racing Associates, a finalist in the bidding for New York's racing franchise, released a plan on Monday that the group said would provide the safest racing and training environments for humans and horses at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.
New York's Ad Hoc Committee on Racing recommended last week that Excelsior Racing Associates assume control of the franchise in 2008 for the three tracks currently operated by the New York Racing Association.
State lawmakers will make the final decision on which entity will run the franchise, however, and Empire Racing will pitch a plan intended to improve racetrack safety to Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer and the New York Legislature.
The plan was developed by Empire Racing members, including Churchill Downs Inc., Delaware North Companies, Magna Entertainment Corp., the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and Woodbine Entertainment Group.
The components of the plan and the estimated costs include:
—safety rails, installed for a minimum of $875,000;
—padded starting gates, at a cost of at least $270,000 for installation at the franchise race tracks;
—synthetic track surfaces, at a cost of at least $31-million for installation at Aqueduct and Belmont main tracks as well as Belmont and Saratoga training tracks;
—Jockey Workers' Compensation Fund, at a cost of at least $175,000 to improve the current policy and reduce trainers' costs;
—a horse welfare protection officer—at least $80,000 to fund a new position charged with keeping unsound horses from competing to avoid catastrophic breakdowns. Officer will also examine track conditions to ensure optimal safety racing conditions;
—test barns, at least $15,000 for refurbishing test barns at the three tracks;
—misting tents, at a cost of $40,000 at Belmont and Saratoga to prevent heat exhaustion for horses and allow riders to cool down;
—improved horse paths, at least $90,000 for improvements at all facilities, which Empire Racing said are in need of immediate repair to correct damage from weather and erosion and to keep horse paths to and from tracks safe and consistent;
—Horse adoption, at least $30,000 for a program similar to the program instituted by Delaware North at Finger Lakes;
—track security, at least $7-million for an updated security program on the backstretch of all the franchise tracks, including the use of high-tech surveillance systems. All security personnel will be trained in equine protection so they understand the needs of horses and horsemen;
—turf course improvements, at least $750,000 to develop new irrigation, pesticide, and turf care delivery at the three tracks;
—Eurocisers and swim facilities, at least $775,000 for two Eurocisers and a swim facility at Belmont to aid in equine rehabilitation; and
—Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations compliance, at least $9-million to ensure the franchise facilities are compliant and that they do not continue to negatively impact the local communities, such as the historic Yadoo property that borders the Saratoga backstretch.
"Race tracks around the country are investing the necessary capital to make tracks safer for people and horses," said Empire Racing Executive Vice President Dennis Brida. "New York tracks are behind the times and this can result in tragic consequences for horses and riders.
"Currently, New York lags the nation when we should be leading the way. Empire's unprecedented coalition of racing industry talent will be able to deliver the industry's best safety practices so that New York can once again boast of having the safest, and most successful, racing program in the country."